Wisconsin shipbuilders on hand to christen, launch USS Milwaukee

The USS Milwaukee has been christened and launched, and Gov. Scott Walker has proclaimed the day in honor of the Navy's latest high-tech vessel.

LCS 5, also known as the USS Milwaukee, is the latest littoral combat ship built in Marinette for the U.S. Navy. The ship was sponsored and christened by Sylvia Panetta, wife of former CIA Director Leon Panetta.

"For the United States of America, I christen thee Milwaukee," she said. "May God bless this ship and all who sail in her."

With those words, Panetta broke a champagne bottle across her bow, and the ship was sent sliding sideways into the Menominee River.

"As it went down, I said, 'Go do good,'" said Sen. Lena Taylor. "It's just exciting to have a ship named after your city."

The USS Milwaukee is the third littoral combat ship built at Marinette Marine Corp. and the fifth ship to carry Milwaukee's name. To see the other ships named after Milwaukee, click here.

Littoral combat ships are part of a new class of warships. The speedy vessels are designed to conduct water combat immediately off an enemy's shore, and they can be managed with smaller crews. U.S. Navy officials tout them as the future of naval warfare.

The USS Milwaukee is expected to be commissioned and ready for duty in a little more than a year. Organizers hope to commission the ship along Milwaukee's lakefront in spring 2015.

Walker proclaimed Wednesday as USS Milwaukee Day.

"It's made by Wisconsin talent and named after our state's largest city," Walker said. "It's just all around a good deal."

Walker was also proud of the other littoral combat ships being built at Marinette.

"It's great to see the Navy leadership and the Department of Defense leadership here committed to more LCS ships built right here in the state of Wisconsin," he said.

The Navy has a $100 million contract with Marinette Marine to build five more LCS ships like the Milwaukee. Their first LCS ship, the USS Freedom, was placed in service in 2008. Their second, the USS Fort Worth, was commissioned in 2012.

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